January 27, 2016–Reacting to yesterday’s action by the FCC to allow the state of New York to allocate through state-level reverse auctions $170 million in Connect America Fund (CAF) support that Verizon Communications, Inc., previously declined for its New York operations (TRDaily, Jan. 26), the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association criticized the action for providing “disproportionate” support to New York.

WISPA Counsel Steve Coran said, “After robust opportunity for public input, last year the FCC adopted a CAF II framework that was truly technology neutral, and designed to harness the power of competition to deliver the most broadband, to the most Americans, at the lowest overall price. Unfortunately, [yesterday’s] action appears to deviate from this approach by providing disproportionate support to one state at the expense of others, which will now be competing for even less federal support. We expect the Commission to exercise the oversight necessary to ensure fair and open participation by all in the New York program, but are concerned that the action will encourage additional states to make end runs to receive off-the-top money in a manner contrary to nationwide CAF objectives.” – Lynn Stanton, lynn.stanton@wolterskluwer.com